Part 90 (1/2)

During which process of ”society” does the conversation which promotes the exchange of ideals and service best come about? Is it in the talk of women who are ”paying calls?” Is it in the talk at a ”tea” or reception? Is it in the talk at a luncheon or a dinner? Is it in the talk over the card-table, or while dancing? Is it in talk at the horse-show or opera? (The pressure of ideas in society is so great that its members do converse at the opera.)

Surely it cannot be ”society” which Miss Tarbell means! She must mean human intercourse--the meeting of congenial minds. But no; that is open to the suffragist as well as to any; and no one ever called it a frivolous and unworthy inst.i.tution.

The meaning is clear enough, but the claims made are to say the least unconvincing.

PERSONAL PROBLEMS

My own, partly personal and partly professional.

Q. Why don't people send questions to this department?

A. 1. Because it does not interest them.

A. 2. Because they have no problems.

A. 3. Because they see no reason to expect satisfactory answers.

A. 4. Because they do not understand that questions are asked for.

Now if any of the first three answers are correct, there is nothing to be said--and no use for this department.

But if its the last--herein it is stated that the purpose of this department is to seriously discuss real ”personal problems” such as do arise in most lives; and to which neither the minister nor Ruth Ashmore do justice.

It is not proposed to furnish absolute wisdom; only comparative.

One question was considered in the January issue; and a very earnest letter of inquiry was answered at great length for this number but proved too long--will appear in July.

What has always been a problem to me is how people can be alive and take so little interest in the performance.

Here is Life--Death--and a discussable Immortality. Here is Love--of all kinds and sizes. Here is Happiness--so big that you can't swallow it; and Pain--an unlimited a.s.sortment.

Here are Things Going On--all kinds of things.

And here are we--making b.u.t.ton holes in the back parlor--breaking our heads in a sham fight in the back yard!

Question. Why don't people wake up and LIVE! World-size?

Answer ..........................

Some of you send an answer!

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THE FORERUNNER CHARLOTTE PERKINS GILMAN'S MAGAZINE CHARLTON CO., 67 WALL ST., NEW YORK

AS TO PURPOSE:

_What is The Forerunner?_ It is a monthly magazine, publis.h.i.+ng stories short and serial, article and essay; drama, verse, satire and sermon; dialogue, fable and fantasy, comment and review. It is written entirely by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.

_What is it For?_ It is to stimulate thought: to arouse hope, courage and impatience; to offer practical suggestions and solutions, to voice the strong a.s.surance of better living, here, now, in our own hands to make.